Historical Innovations
Introducing the newest invention — a book!
Initializing Horrible Histories Fan Hub v1.0
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STOP: 0x0000HHS0 (HISTORY_OVERLOAD) — Please report to Terry Deary
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Where history's most dreadful stories come alive — with a twist!
Welcome, history fan! Use the sidebar to explore sections. Press B for a surprise (don't be too horrible).
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This website is all about bringing creativity, history, and fun together in one place. Whether you're exploring quirky facts, diving into creative writing, or simply looking for something interesting, you'll find a little bit of everything here. The goal is to make learning and discovering new things enjoyable because who said education can't be fun? Take a look around and explore the various topics that spark my curiosity. Enjoy your visit!
Terry Deary
Creator of Horrible Histories
William Terence Deary is a British children's author of 351 books, selling over 38 million copies in over 45 languages, best known as the writer of the Horrible Histories series. Since 1994 he has been one of Britain's best-selling authors.
Born: January 3, 1946 — Sunderland, UK
Children: Sara Deary
Education: University of Sunderland, East Point Academy
Spouse: Jenny Deary
Parents: Freda Deary, Bill Deary
Horrible Histories was created in 1993 by Terry Deary as a book series intended to bring a new perspective to history for children. The goal was simple: to make history engaging and entertaining by focusing on the weird, gruesome, and often overlooked details of the past. The series became known for its irreverent tone, which broke away from traditional textbooks by exploring topics like unsanitary living conditions, brutal battles, and the sometimes-disturbing lifestyles of famous historical figures. Through humor and wit, Deary aimed to make history more relatable and exciting, challenging the typical dry and often sanitized versions of historical events.
The Horrible Histories series quickly gained popularity, not only for its fun approach but also for its educational value. With over 20 books published, the series covered an extensive range of topics, including ancient civilizations like Egypt and Greece, the Middle Ages, the Tudors, and even more modern periods like World War II. Each book provided a detailed look at these periods, blending historical facts with dark humor to make the information more digestible for young readers. Deary's unique method of teaching, through shocking facts, comical illustrations, and memorable anecdotes, made Horrible Histories a favorite among children, parents, and educators alike.
In 2009, Horrible Histories made its transition to television, further expanding its reach and popularity. The TV show took the same comedic, historical approach as the books, featuring a mix of sketches, songs, and animated segments that made the past seem both hilarious and informative. The show, like the books, focused on telling history from a fresh perspective, often mocking the stuffiness of traditional educational programs. Its use of humor, catchy tunes, and clever historical parodies earned it numerous accolades, including multiple BAFTA awards, and helped it become one of the most loved children's programs of the decade.
A collection of fun and quirky wallpapers inspired by the Horrible Histories series, featuring historical figures and events in their most humorous and gory glory. Perfect for fans of history with a twist!
Terrible Tudors (1993)
A hilarious look at the tumultuous reign of the Tudor dynasty, including Henry VIII's wives, his brutal rule, and the infamous executions.
Awesome Egyptians (1993)
Explore ancient Egypt's fascinating culture, including mummies, pharaohs, and pyramid-building, with all the gruesome details.
The Vile Victorians (1994)
Dive into the dark side of Victorian life, with stories of child labor, smog-filled streets, and Victorian-era criminals.
Vicious Vikings (1994)
Discover the savage ways of the Vikings, their raids, their gods, and their taste for adventure and violence.
Rotten Romans (1994)
Journey through the Roman Empire and its decadence, from gladiators and emperors to the brutal side of Roman society.
Groovy Greeks (1995)
Learn about ancient Greek gods, myths, and philosophy, along with the quirky history of this legendary civilization.
Dreadful Diary (1996)
Follow the daily life of a young child in medieval times, filled with the horrors of living through the Middle Ages.
The Measly Middle Ages (1996)
A comedic dive into the middle ages, with knights, peasants, and gruesome details about the grim lives people led.
Poisonous Postcards (1996)
Postcards from history, each filled with dark and bizarre facts about historical figures and events.
The Cut-Throat Celts (1997)
Explore the fierce and warrior-filled world of the Celts, their fierce battles, and their mysticism.
Angry Aztecs (1997)
A deep look at the mighty and angry Aztecs, their rituals, their gods, and the brutal aspects of their society.
Terrifying Tudors (1998)
A darker, more in-depth look at the infamous Tudor period, focusing on its most grisly moments.
The Savage Stone Age (1999)
Step back to the Stone Age and witness the savage ways of prehistoric humans, with their stone tools and struggles for survival.
Woeful Second World War (1999)
A gruesome and funny take on World War II, including major battles, incredible heroes, and terrible tragedies.
The Gorgeous Georgians (1999)
Explore the elegant yet shocking life during the Georgian era, from fashion to the opulence—and darkness—behind it.
The Incredible Incas (2000)
Travel to South America to discover the extraordinary civilization of the Incas, including their achievements and cruel rituals.
Horrible Christmas (2000)
A holiday special full of grisly details about Christmas traditions, both ancient and modern, with a dark twist.
Cruel Crime and Painful Punishment (2002)
Learn about the brutal punishments and crimes from different eras, from stocks to hangings and beyond.
Barmy British Empire (2002)
Delve into the bizarre, often cruel history of the British Empire, from its greatest triumphs to its darkest acts.
The Slimy Stuarts (2004)
Explore the messy reign of the Stuart dynasty, with scandalous stories of kings, queens, and bloody revolutions.
Smashing Saxons (2004)
Discover the Saxons' fight for survival, their battles with Vikings, and their fierce kings and queens.
The Stormin' Normans (2004)
A thrilling account of the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror, and the bloody battles that changed history.
Blitzed Brits (2004)
Learn about the lives of ordinary Britons during World War II, focusing on the Blitz and the tough times that followed.
Frightful First World War (2004)
Explore the horrors of the First World War, with its trench warfare, famous battles, and shocking loss of life.
Loathsome London (2005)
Take a dark tour of London’s history, including plague, crime, and all the nasty details of the city’s past.
Who's Horrible in History (2009)
Discover the most infamous historical figures who lived scandalous, often cruel lives—from kings to queens and beyond.
Knights - A High-Speed History (2011)
A quick, fun guide to the life of knights, including battles, chivalry, and the gruesome aspects of medieval warfare.
Rome - A High-Speed History (2011)
A fast-paced look at the rise and fall of Rome, from its legendary founders to its empire's violent end.
Deadly Days in History (2013)
A collection of the most deadly and dangerous days in history, with wars, disasters, and major turning points.
Top 50 Kings and Queens (2015)
A countdown of the top 50 kings and queens from history, filled with quirky facts, fun stories, and regal disasters.
Crackin' Castles (2016)
Discover the medieval world of castles, from their design to the brutal sieges that often took place inside them.
The Secret Diary of Henry VIII (2021)
A humorous, fictionalized diary from King Henry VIII, revealing his many wives, intrigues, and royal drama.
The Secret Diary of Queen Victoria (2021)
A comedic look at the life of Queen Victoria, with a fictional diary offering insight into her reign and royal life.
Enjoy the dreadful hilarity of history's finest moments below.
Introducing the newest invention — a book!
Guy Fawkes and the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605!
Hengest and Horsa look for a place to settle — will Kent be the one?
Would you add Cleopatra on Facebook? Mark Anthony might regret it.
"I’m a shouty man" — the medieval ad show you didn’t ask for.
Which wifeswap is the most memorable? Chaos guaranteed.
Anne attempts a Stuart-era special (questionable ingredients included).
Smelly peasants become the best-dressed studs of their eras!
Visit Historical Hospital — Egyptian, Tudor or Pirate doctors on duty.
Napoleon's unexpected reunion with a very odd guest.
Click a track — the CD spins and the visualizer dances to the rhythm!
Meet the dreadful historical figures from Horrible Histories!
c. 30 — c. 61 AD
Warrior queen of the Iceni. Fierce, loud, and regrettably good at burning cities.
1491 — 1547
Famous for his marriages, reforms, and a collection of excellent codpieces.
100 BC — 44 BC
Roman general, statesman, and subject of many stabbing incidents.
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Site created by Jamillia Mabini. Assets credited where applicable.
A retro television collection of Horrible Histories classics.
Smashing Saxons | Horrible Histories
Join the Saxons as they prepare for battle in this comedic sketch from the popular children's history show.
Ingenious Inventors | Horrible Histories
Discover the quirky and often hilarious inventions that changed the course of history in this musical number.
History of the Olympics | Horrible Histories
Explore the origins and evolution of the Olympic Games in this entertaining and educational sketch.